Luke C's Article Review

Lynn Gaertner-Johnston of Syntax Training contributes to a monthly journal that gives professional writing advice. The main article from the October/November journal is titled "Better Writing at Work: Don't let a Wayward Verb Weaken Your Writing." The article discusses very basic verb usage that many writers may not think about when composing business correspondence.

1. Verb Agreement with a subject.

- The cost of benefits continue to rise.

- The cost of benefits continues to rise.

2. Verbs that carry unnecessary words that can bog down a sentence.

- The Senator will be giving a speech on Monday.

- The Senator will give a speech on Monday.

3. Choosing certain weak verbs can bring additional words that can clutter a sentence.

- I am getting through the lessons with much difficulty

- I struggle with the lessons.

4. The usage of action verbs can wake up your sentences.

- Your work is inspiring to your students.

- Your work inspires your students.

5. Using active verbs when it may seem only passive verbs are available.

- As can be seen from the attached schedule, there are no room for delays.

- As the attached schedule shows, there is no room for delays.

6. Choose a verb that not only communicates past action, but is open to the future.

- We enjoyed having you has a client.

- We have enjoyed having you as a client. (Could be a future client as well)

Although these are very basic verb rules, they are very critical to the writing you produce while at work. It is always important to brush up on the basics!

Reference:

Gaertner-Johnson, Lynn. "Don't let a Wayward Verb Weaken Your Writing."

Better Writing at Work. Syntax Training, Oct.-Nov. 2009. Web. 6 Nov. 2009.

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